Pearl 'Irene' Leighty Broad, 84

Pearl “Irene” Leighty Broad, 84, passed away on Dec. 27, 2012, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Irene was born on her parents’ farm south of Columbia Falls on Sept. 5, 1928. She was the thirteenth of 20 children born to Pearl and Bradford Leighty. She grew up in the Flathead Valley and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1947.

She married William J. Broad in July 1947 and was married to him for almost 63 years, until June 2010, when he passed away. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the mother of a daughter, Naomi; and a son, Bruce, who passed away in 1966.

All through her life children were attracted to her and she enjoyed interacting with them. Her hobbies included sewing, embroidery, gardening, baking and photography. She enjoyed sharing these talents with others. Her love of the Lord Jesus was the mainstay of her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Naomi and Dave Manuwal of Woodinville, Wash.; grandson, John and Liz Manuwal of Woodinville; granddaughter, Joy A. and Shawn Burke of Lake Stevens, Wash.; great-granddaughter, Sarah Manuwal; and great-grandson, Andrew “A.J.” Manuwal. She is also survived by a stepson, Ronald and Sherry Matkin of Brighton, Mich., and their daughters, Traci Rozelle and Vicki Hollinger, and their children, Alysia and Alex Rozelle and Emily Hollinger. She is survived by sisters, Thelma Carter of Columbia Falls, Laura Fuller of Kettle Falls, Wash., Esther Ingraham of Kalispell, Violet and Louis Lundy of Aloha, Ore., Ardith and Gary Wolfe of Spanaway, Wash.; and brothers, Andy and Una Leighty of Columbia Falls, and James and Ann Leighty of Tacoma, Wash.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses, family and friends that reached out to her during her battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Jan. 3 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will take place afterwards at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice, 275 Corporate Drive, Suite 600, Kalispell, MT 5990l.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.